The company has a message on what to look out for when severe weather hits.

“Anytime we have a situation like this, it’s kind of all hands on deck,” said Joe Gehrdes with Huntsville Utilities.

Extra crews are on deck to respond to any damage or outages from severe weather.

“The best way is to call that in,” said Gehrdes. “We have a number, 5-3 LIGHT. That’s 256-535-4448.”

If you experience an outage, the company says not to report on social media.

“Do not try to use social media to report outages because that’s not always monitored, but the dispatch center always has people there to answer those calls and prioritize whatever the situations may be,” said Gehrdes.

Huntsville Utilities recommends unplugging any appliances or electronics that you are worried about potentially being hit by lightning.

If power lines go down, you don’t want to be anywhere near water.

“Water is a great conductor of electricity and if it’s wet and that line is hot — we don’t want you to get anywhere near that,” said Gehrdes.

COLBERT COUNTY, Ala. – Preparation is key before severe weather events strike. Monday morning, EMA officials in Colbert County spent the morning making sure more than twenty storm shelters were ready for use.

“They may not be the most attractive thing, but they are very durable,” stated Colbert County EMA Director Mike Melton.

So durable, a storm shelter like Colbert County uses withstood an EF5 tornado on April 27th, 2011 in Phil Campbell.

Melton went through several shelters himself checking bathrooms and electricity.

“We’re going around and checking on them because they have not been used a whole lot in the last probably four or five months,” Melton explained. “We’re trying to go over every one of them to just make sure they’re open, they’re available for people if they are needed later.”

More than 20 are scattered through-out Colbert County, with four more in the works.

Melton said they unlocked the shelters early Monday due to the impending weather threat. He wants to make sure people have plenty of time to get to them – before warnings are issued.

“We have a population of fifty-four thousand and we don’t have enough, will never have enough,” Melton stated. “However, people that live in mobile homes and don’t feel comfortable, maybe have tall trees in their yards, may feel a little bit more comfortable coming to some of these shelters.”

And Melton repeated, don’t wait about getting to a shelter. The last place you want to be - is on the road when storms hit.

As severe weather moves across North Alabama we are keeping you updated on air, online and our social platforms. Our meteorologists and field crews will continue to keep you informed.

]]>damage ardalexstokeswhntFeds break up gruesome plot, Decatur man pleads guilty to planning to kidnap and sell a child to a pimphttp://whnt.com/2018/03/19/feds-break-up-gruesome-plot-decatur-man-pleads-guilty-to-planning-to-kidnap-and-sell-a-child-to-a-pimp/
Mon, 19 Mar 2018 16:55:52 +0000http://whnt.com/?p=477364The details of this story are extraordinarily disturbing, describing a planned act of brutality toward a mother and child, we encourage ALL readers to reflect before and after reading the story.

DECATUR, Ala. – Brian David “Blaze” Boersma, 48, pleaded guilty in federal court on charges related to a plot to kidnap a mother and child, with the stated intention of killing the mother and selling the 14-year-old daughter to a pimp in Memphis.

US Attorney Jay Town said of the guilty plea, “Boersma has revealed the worst parts of human depravity and his guilty plea provides little comfort to those who would have suffered unspeakable horrors.”

“He will spend most, if not all, of the remainder of his life in prison…and then he has hell to look forward to,” Town added.

His sentencing date has not been set at this point.

According to the US Attorney’s office, in the fall of 2017, Boersma encouraged a co-worker at the Alabama Farmers’ Cooperative to find someone who would kidnap a woman and her daughter for payment, giving the co-worker $3,440 toward the transaction.

The co-worker alerted the FBI, who sent undercover employees to pose as willing kidnappers.

The US Attorney’s Office summarizes the plot detailed in the plea agreement as follows:

Boersma boasted to his co-worker that he would sell the child to a pimp he knew in Memphis, Tenn., and hoped to get as much as $40,000 because she was “a young, clean virgin.” Ultimately, his contact in Memphis offered him only $8,000 for the girl, Boersma said.

Boersma had outfitted a trailer at the co-op with a mattress and restraints for holding the mother and daughter. He also placed inside the trailer a metal “sex device” he had built so the woman could be tied to it, beaten and raped.

Boersma claimed that the woman’s ex-husband wanted the woman and child kidnapped as retribution for the woman divorcing him and taking him to court for child support. He said the ex-husband wanted to beat the woman with a bullwhip and it would be a “bloody mess” in the trailer. He said he put plastic down inside the trailer to help with clean up. Boersma also told the undercover FBI employees that once the woman was dead, he would “have to go get 300 pounds of lime and dig a hole.” He said he would get the lime from the co-op and bury the body under a nearby bridge.

On Oct. 10, Boersma and his co-worker met at a Decatur hotel with the undercover FBI agents who Boersma believed would kidnap the mother and child. Boersma told the agents what he wanted done, provided photos of the two intended victims and handed the agents $3,440. He then led the agents to the woman’s workplace, to her home and to the co-op, where he showed them the trailer he had prepared for holding the victims.

Boersma was arrested shortly after returning to the hotel.

The US Attorney’s office notes in a statement, “The prison penalty for attempted kidnapping of a minor is a minimum of 20 years. Attempted sex trafficking of children carries a prison penalty of 10 years to life. Attempted kidnapping carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence. The maximum prison sentence for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon is 10 years. Possessing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime carries a minimum five-year prison sentence that must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed.”

NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0952 AM CDT Mon Mar 19 2018
Areas affected...north-central and northern AL...northwest GA...far
southern middle TN
Concerning...Outlook upgrade
Valid 191452Z - 191615Z
SUMMARY...An upgrade to a Moderate Risk categorical outlook (driven
by a 15% significant tornado risk) is planned for the 1630Z outlook (10:30am CT).
DISCUSSION...It appears increasingly probable the risk for several
tornadic supercells will traverse across northern portions of AL
late this afternoon and through the early evening. Thunderstorm
activity will be largely void across a large part of this area
(north-central AL) prior to peak heating and a moderately unstable
airmass is expected to develop by mid afternoon. The arrival of a
speed max in the mid-levels will correspondingly lead to a marked
strengthening in low-level flow and increasing hodograph size, which
will be more favorable for supercells and low-level mesocyclones.
Given these factors, confidence has increased such that a 15%
significant tornado risk and the potential for longer lived
supercells and damaging tornadoes will focus across north-central
and northern AL, far southern middle TN beginning during the late
afternoon/early evening, then moving east into northeast AL and far
northwest GA later this evening.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Another explosion in an Austin neighborhood injures two people Sunday night.

It happened in a suburban neighborhood known as Travis County, in the southwest part of the city. The two victims are in their 20s.

Police Chief Brian Manley has issued a warning to residents to be on the lookout for any suspicious packages in the area, and not approach them.

This is the fourth explosion in Austin in a month. While the most recent explosion isn't in the same neighborhood as the previous three, police are not ruling out that this one is related to those blasts.

The first explosion occurred on March 2 and killed a 39-year-old man. Two more package bombs exploded on March 12, killing a 17-year-old, a injuring two others, including a 75-year-old woman.

Police originally suggested they could have been hate crimes since all the victims were black or Hispanic, but now says that investigators aren't ruling out any possible motive.

Authorities have a $115,000 award in place for any information leading to the arrest of the agent responsible.

]]>CapturewhntsethjuneacLive tracking of the severe weather impact from the storms that moved across Alabamahttp://whnt.com/2018/03/19/severe-weather-potential-this-afternoon-evening/
Mon, 19 Mar 2018 10:39:07 +0000http://whnt.com/?p=477306

Here is the latest forecast for Monday afternoon and evening across the Tennessee Valley. A very strong system is forecast to move across our area later Monday afternoon and evening. Large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes are all possible. The timing is from 2pm to 8pm this afternoon through the evening.

Here is a look at futurecast:

Missing Attachment
Missing Attachment

The entire Tennessee Valley is under an *enhanced risk* for severe thunderstorms later on today. What does this mean? The chances of severe weather is “higher” for severe storms.

All of the TN Valley is under an *enhanced risk* for severe storms this afternoon and evening.

Here is another look at the timing for the Tennessee Valley.

Make sure you have multiple ways to get warnings not only today, but all the way through our severe weather season. Having a NOAA weather radio and fresh batteries is a start. Live Alert 19 is a great app to have on your phone when you are away from your television. Stay tuned for the latest updates throughout the day.

According to police, a 911 call came in around 11:00 Sunday night about a shooting at the Brookridge Apartment complex just off of Austinville Road. Police have confirmed neither the shooter nor the person shot lived there.

The caller, who the police have identified but who we are no longer naming unless he is charged, stated that he had just shot someone.

Shooting victim identified

When law enforcement arrived, they found 23-year-old Chaz Harris shot multiple times outside of an apartment building. He was already dead.

Decatur police say the investigation is still ongoing and no charges are being filed at this time.

"We couldn't even see a foot out the front door. So we went to our balcony that faced outside and we just had to jump off that," said Austin Zeitler, a resident.

While fire officials are still investigating what went wrong, it has been a sad day for those who live there.

"I'm feeling sad for my stuff, for my kids. This is tough," explained Myrna Ribera. Fire officials boarded up the entrances to this building, so many couldn't even go inside to see the rubble that was their home.

"My wife was able to go back in early this morning, probably around 8:30am. She was able to get a couple of things. I didn't even grab my wallet and keys. I just got my daughter out as quickly as possible," says resident Sean Tyler.

Even though there's so much fear and uncertainty here, one thing makes these people grateful. They still have their lives.

"Last night, I was so scared for my neighbors," Ribera said.

Myrna Ribera first alerted the police of the fire, as well as the rest of her neighbors once she noticed the heavy smoke. Her next door neighbor says this sense of community is a blessing.

"It's a pretty close knit area. People are very neighborly, so I feel like that's one of the reason's she felt comfortable even coming and knocking on my door at that time," explained Tyler.

While many will be without their material items, they can all agree that they're glad
everyone could get out safely.

Alabama State Troopers said Robert Nicholas Phillips, 28, was killed when the 2003 Honda Odyssey he was driving left the roadway on U.S. 72 and overturned. Phillips, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash occurred just west of Athens at approximately 7 a.m.

Alabama State Troopers are continuing to investigate.

]]>Fatal Crash genericwhntirenecardenasmartinezNo. 4 Auburn falls to No. 5 Clemson 84-53 in the second round of the NCAA Tournamenthttp://whnt.com/2018/03/18/no-4-auburn-falls-to-no-5-clemson-84-53-in-the-second-round-of-the-ncaa-tournament/
Mon, 19 Mar 2018 01:30:50 +0000http://whnt.com/?p=477270SAN DIEGO, CA. (AL.com) Auburn’s magical and historic season will not continue past the second round of the NCAA Tournament because of the month-long disappearing act of its three-star players.

For the seventh time in nine games, Auburn shot below 40 percent from the field – way below.

Behind atrocious performances from Jared Harper (2 of 12), Bryce Brown (4 of 13, 12 points) and Mustapha Heron (3 of 10, 12 points), No. 4 seed Auburn turned in its worst shooting night in over two years, making just 17 of 66 (25.8 percent) in a 84-53 massacre at the hands of No. 5 Clemson at Viejas Arena in San Diego on Sunday.

]]>ncaa-clemson-auburn-basketball-eae7973f1fd8930cwhntirenecardenasmartinezCelebrate the start of spring with free Dairy Queen ice creamhttp://whnt.com/2018/03/18/celebrate-the-start-of-spring-with-free-dairy-queen-ice-cream/
Sun, 18 Mar 2018 21:56:34 +0000http://whnt.com/?p=477235CNN — Dairy Queen announced that it will giveaway free vanilla ice cream cones at all of its non-mall locations in the United States on Tuesday, March 20, to celebrate the start of spring, and to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

According to Dairy Queen, the free soft serve cones will be available while supplies last. The company said cones are limited to one per customer.

While Dairy Queen is not charging for the cones, it is soliciting donations for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Dairy Queen said it raised $300,000 for the charity on the same day last year. Dairy Queen said that donations will stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care.

Dairy Queen has 6,800 locations worldwide.

“We’re excited for our fourth annual Free Cone Day,” Maria Hokanson, Executive Vice President of Marketing for American Dairy Queen Corporation, said. “This day has become a spring tradition and a sign that warmer weather is upon us.”

]]>Soft serve ice creamwhntirenecardenasmartinezEarly dismissals and closings for Monday, March 19http://whnt.com/2018/03/18/early-school-dismissals-for-monday-march-19/
Sun, 18 Mar 2018 20:12:40 +0000http://whnt.com/?p=477208School systems and some organizations have started to announce early dismissals due to possibly severe weather Monday. Click here for the latest on the forecast.

Early Dismissals

Schools

Alabama A&M University – Closing at 1:00 p.m.

Athens State University – Closing at 12:00 p.m. All activities canceled.

Calhoun Community College – All campuses closing at 12:15 p.m. Monday.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- On June 5, Alabama voters will start the process of choosing a governor. This year there are five names on the Republican Primary ballot and the same for the Democrats. We are working to interview all of them.

Sunday morning we spoke with Evangelist Scott Dawson who is running as a Republican in the Alabama Governor's race. Dawson says he definitely stays busy.

He'll tell you up front he is no politician, although he says being involved in the church for years means he knows politics. We asked him about his stance on taxes, specifically a gas tax to provide money for Alabama roads?

]]>Fire photo Huntsville American CabinetswhntaaroncantrellResults: Putin far ahead in fraud-tainted Russian votehttp://whnt.com/2018/03/18/results-putin-far-ahead-in-fraud-tainted-russian-vote/
Sun, 18 Mar 2018 18:42:21 +0000http://whnt.com/?p=477184MOSCOW (AP) — Early results and an exit poll showed that Vladimir Putin handily won a fourth term as Russia’s president Sunday, adding six years in the Kremlin for the man who has led the world’s largest country for all of the 21st century.

The vote was tainted by widespread reports of ballot-box stuffing and forced voting, but the complaints will likely do little to undermine Putin. The Russian leader’s popularity remains high despite his suppression of dissent and reproach from the West over Russia’s increasingly aggressive stance in world affairs and alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

Putin’s main challenges in the vote were to obtain a huge margin of victory in order to claim an indisputable mandate. The Central Elections Commission said Putin had won about 72 percent of the vote, based on a count of 22 percent of the country’s precincts.

Russian authorities had sought to ensure a large turnout to bolster the image that Putin’s so-called “managed democracy” is robust and offers Russians true choices.

He faced seven minor candidates on the ballot. Putin’s most vehement and visible foe, anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny, was rejected as a candidate because he was convicted of fraud in a case widely regarded as politically motivated. Navalny and his supporters had called for an election boycott but the extent of its success could not immediately be gauged.

The election came amid escalating tensions between Russia and the West, with reports that Moscow was behind the nerve-agent poisoning of a former Russian double agent in Britain and that its internet trolls had mounted an extensive campaign to undermine the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Britain and Russia last week announced diplomat expulsions over the spy case and the United States issued new sanctions.

Russian officials denounced both cases as efforts to interfere in the Russian election. But the disputes likely worked in Putin’s favor, reinforcing the official contention that the West is infected with “Russophobia” and is determined to undermine Putin and Russian cultural values.

Putin has come to embody Russia’s exceptionalism, the sense of the state and culture as an extraordinary entity that is nonetheless under constant attack from outside.

The election took place on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, one of the most dramatic manifestations of Putin’s drive to reassert Russia’s power.

Crimea and Russia’s subsequent support of separatists in eastern Ukraine led to an array of US and European sanctions that, along with falling oil prices, damaged the Russian economy and slashed the ruble’s value by half. But Putin’s popularity remained strong, apparently buttressed by nationalist pride.

In his next six years in office, Putin is likely to assert Russia’s power abroad even more strongly. Just weeks before the election, he announced that Russia has developed advanced nuclear weapons capable of evading missile defenses. The military campaign in Syria is clearly aimed at strengthening Russia’s foothold in the Middle East and Russia eagerly eyes possible reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula as a lucrative economic opportunity.

At home, he will be faced with how to groom a successor or devise a strategy to circumvent term limits, how to drive diversification in an economy still highly dependent on oil and gas and how to improve medical care and social services in regions of the sprawling country far removed from the modern glitter of Moscow.

Casting his ballot in Moscow, Putin was confident of victory, saying he would consider any percentage of votes a success.

“The program that I propose for the country is the right one,” he declared.

ARDMORE, Ala. -- A woman is dead after a fatal crash on HWY 251 and Sweet Springs Rd./Pinedale Rd. Sunday morning according to Alabama State Troopers. Troopers say they received a call around 10:30 a.m.

Senior Trooper Chuck Daniel says Manisha Thaker, 33, was killed when the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, in which she was a passenger, collided with the 2000 Volvo commercial farm truck. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

She was with her family, a man and two children, going eastbound on Sweet Springs Rd. Her family members were also taken to Huntsville Hospital with unknown injuries.

Authorities say two people in the commercial farm vehicle were headed northbound on 251 when the cars collided. The driver of the Volvo farm vehicle was not injured, but a passenger in the Volvo was transported to Huntsville Hospital with unknown injuries.

A significant severe weather threat exists for Monday: mainly in the afternoon and early evening for North Alabama and Southern Middle Tennessee. Tornadoes, strong winds, and very large hail are possible with any storms that develop. Storms will develop at the earliest 1 PM Monday and move out by at the latest 9 PM Monday.

Storms on the Horizon:Two primary rounds of rain and storms will come through with this system. The first round will come with a warm front on Sunday night and the second will come with a cold front on Monday afternoon/evening. We could see a few strong storms (gusty winds and hail) Sunday night after 10PM through Monday morning, but the main event will come through Monday afternoon.

Round One: The first round of rain and storms will come through late Sunday night after 10PM and be moving out by 9AM Monday morning. Again – we can’t rule out wind gusts up to 50+mph and small hail early Monday morning, but this first round of rain/storms will not bring a high severe threat.

Round Two: The second round of storms likely moves through between 1PM-9PM Monday, but be aware we may still adjust the timeline by a couple of hours. This is the round in which we expect severe storms. All types of severe weather are possible; very large hail and wind gusts of 60+ mph are the most likely risks, but there is a risk of tornadoes too.

Severe Threat: The Storm Prediction Center has outlined the Tennessee Valley with an ‘Enhanced Risk’ of severe weather – indicating that numerous severe storms are expected. There will be a window of time Monday – from 9AM through 12PM – in which we are dry, the sun will peak through, and temperatures will heat up quickly. How much warmth and moisture can rush into North Alabama during this timeframe will help determine how widespread severe storms will be.